Camping near Lewis and Clark National Forest

Lewis and Clark National Forest camping sites span elevations ranging from 4,500 to over 9,000 feet across central Montana's diverse terrain. Summer temperatures typically reach 70-85°F during daylight hours but drop to 40-50°F at night. Most forest campgrounds have limited or no cell service, especially in canyon areas and at higher elevations.

What to do

Hiking trails: At Vigilante Campground, access both the flat Trout Creek trail through the canyon (6 miles round trip) and the more challenging Hanging Valley trail. "A trail head in camp for Hanging Valley trail, 11+ mile round trip, lots of climbing to get to a hole in the wall that lets you look straight down into the canyon," notes one camper at Vigilante Campground.

Wildlife viewing: The Missouri River corridor provides excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. At Prewett Creek Fishing Access Site, wildlife often approaches camping areas. One visitor observed, "Rams and deer come right up to your RV." Several campgrounds along the Missouri River offer reliable wildlife sightings.

Water activities: The Missouri River provides multiple recreation options at fishing access sites. At Pelican Point Fishing Access Site, visitors enjoy varied water recreation beyond fishing. "Great spot to SUP and play around," reports one camper, while another notes the site has "a boat launch ramp and small beach for swimming, fishing and for dogs to play."

What campers like

River proximity: Many campers value the immediate water access at Missouri River fishing sites. At Mid-Canon Fishing Access Site, one reviewer appreciated the "Beautiful spot! Right by the river!" Another visitor called it "a lovely campground" with five riverside spots that "are often filled on weekends."

Family amenities: Families gravitate toward sites with recreational facilities. The Great Falls KOA provides extensive facilities for children. One visitor notes it has "Waterslides, Petting Zoo, Swimming Pool," while another mentions "a large playground, volleyball court, basketball, and pools."

Remote forest camping: Campers seeking seclusion prefer more remote forest sites. Vigilante Campground offers a secluded forest experience where "All the campsites sit along a rocky canyon and a stream runs parallel to the road. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit."

What you should know

Campground maintenance: Site conditions vary significantly across the region. At Logging Creek, one visitor reported an extremely poor experience: "There was trash (including used toilet paper) on the grounds. The bathroom was ATROCIOUS and gross (poop smeared on the walls)." However, others found the same campground enjoyable when less crowded.

Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require appropriate gear. At Holter Dam Rec Site, a September visitor reported, "Our first day was 105F which made the lake more inviting. Evening low of 76F." Mountain campgrounds experience even greater temperature swings.

Seasonal crowds: Weekends bring significantly higher visitor numbers, especially at boat launch sites. At Pelican Point Fishing Access Site, a camper observed, "This is a high traffic area though. Lots of fisherman's and their boats coming and going. They drove a bit fast for y liking with kids and dogs."

Tips for camping with families

Swimming options: Several sites offer kid-friendly water access. At Logging Creek, one reviewer noted, "Great little pool on the far side of the campsite is great for kids." Similarly, at Pelican Point, a visitor found "Pelican point pond. Great for kids."

Playground facilities: Campgrounds with play equipment provide essential entertainment. At Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground, families can access "a fairly small swim beach" though "no pets on the fairly small swim beach" is strictly enforced. The site also offers "a few paved walking paths near the beach area."

Site selection: For families, choosing the right campsite location matters. At Great Falls KOA, "the area we stayed in is for medium sized rigs or smaller. It was wooded and very nice." Families should note that "the larger spaces are in a newer and less shady portion of the campground."

Tips from RVers

Road conditions: Forest service roads present challenges for larger rigs. One Logging Creek camper warned, "Not going to lie. I didn't know what to expect and white knuckled a but driving my little old motorhome down into this ground. This is a bit of a trek." The same reviewer ultimately concluded it was "TOTALLY worth it if you are up for the adventure though."

Site spacing: RV site quality varies considerably between campgrounds. At Mid-Canon, sites are described as "roomy and spread apart," while at Great Falls KOA, a visitor noted, "It seems like several of the sites need to be cleaned up and re-leveled."

Accessibility features: Some sites have design elements that complicate RV parking. At Holter Dam Rec Site, a visitor warned, "The narrow paved roads made life interesting," while another mentioned, "wooden rails lining the road make it difficult to back in some spots."